The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, received a loyal address from by the privileged bodies today. As part of an old tradition, certain organisations retain the long-held right to present addresses to the Sovereign and to receive a response from her.

Does anyone know why the Diamond Jubilee thread is still closed? I mean, the celebrations have actually begun. Every day there's more news about what's happening and plans for the central weekend and the royal tours. I don't bother posting about it all that much because we can't have an actual discussion on it when the post is moved to the locked thread.

I know the big weekend celebrations are the most important bit of it all, but there's plenty going on in the meantime.

I think if it was opened from the start of the events in February to the end of the events at the end of July or even further in the year we'd be looking at a lot of pages. The majority of the events get discussed here, then moved to the thread when the conversation dies out.

New posts in today's thread, like IceFlowers are highlighted and appear in the Portal and New Posts section. It will be opened in the lead up to big weekend I think.

Definitely interesting pieces of art (though the portrait of Baroness Thatcher is a little scary ). Her Majesty looks fabulous, and it's lovely to see that she was received by such huge crowds. It must really make her feel loved and appreciated.

__________________"My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring".
~Prince William~

The Duke of Edinburgh showed that his recent health problems have not dulled his mischievous sense of humour today when he joined the Queen on a visit to north London.
The 90-year-old asked a man on a mobility scooter: “How many people have you knocked over this morning on that thing?” The subject of the joke was David Miller, 60, a trustee of the Valentine Mansion in Redbridge, which the Queen and the Duke were visiting. He said: “That is just typical from the Duke. He is renowned for his humour but no offence was taken, it was all in good humour. “I told him no, your Royal Highness, I had not knocked anyone down.”

The Queen was greeted by thousands of cheering well-wishers as her Diamond Jubilee tour of Great Britain rolled into London today. Hundreds of Union Jack-waving school children, parents and pensioners lined the route taken by the monarch and Prince Philip through the park and grounds of an historic house in Redbridge, North East London.

To mark 60 years on the throne the Queen's Madame Tussauds waxwork is getting a £150,000 makeover. While the monarch did not sit for the recreation she did send over her measurements and approvals for different aspects of the sculpture. Artists at the London attraction have based the model on her official Diamond Jubilee portrait

The Duke of Edinburgh has long been known for his less than tactful ways. And today, he played to type as he asked a man on a mobility scooter during today's tour of Redbridge whether he had run anyone over recently.Despite his recent health problems, it was clear Philip had lost none of his waspish humour when he joked with the disabled man about his mode of transport.

I completely agree with you, Daria: Prince Philip has got a wicked sense of humour!

I have to agree. The 1969 version is absolutely ghastly and looked nothing like her. The newest version of wax figure is a beautiful llikeness of her. And she looked radiant and beautiful in her blue outfit. Prince Phillips is looking chipper as well.

The old wax figure might as well have been any woman, dressed in a royal robe. It looks nothing like Her Majesty. While the new one is a wonderful likeness. I'm glad they're making it in time for the Jubilee.

__________________"My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring".
~Prince William~